ISLINGTON Public School students’ crusade to reduce plastic waste in the sea has reached a climax, after they presented their ideas to a panel of science, technology, engineering and maths leaders.
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The school was one of eight chosen to participate in the NBN Co STEM+X initiative, which encouraged students to develop an idea to brighten their community’s future by attempting to solve real life challenges.
Principal Matt Bradley said the school’s year five and six composite class focused on the plastic in Styx Creek that built up against – and sometimes flowed over – a boom leading to Throsby Creek and the harbour.
“They realised they had to engineer a new boom that would work better, but also needed to educate people about plastic and plastic waste.”
The students were guided by teacher Georgie Read and NBN Co mentor James McEwan and liaised with the University of Newcastle’s Dr Emina Subasic, Professor Brett Neilan and Professor James Jackson; Hunter Water engineer Brendon Harrod; and Take 3 For The Sea.
They engineered a new gross pollutant trap that they modelled in Minecraft and made a 12 minute film, website, app, games and dances about their project – and they’re just getting started.
“This really taps into the student centred pedagogy – they’re in control of their learning and know and understand and believe they can make a difference in the world,” Mr Bradley said.
“That’s what we want from future leaders.
“They’re having fun, working together, learning about persistence and realising it’s okay to make mistakes, to say ‘I don’t know’ and find someone who can help.”
The students presented by video conference to NBN Co headquarters in Sydney.
Helen Gregory
Helen Gregory joined the Newcastle Herald in 2010. She is the masthead’s education reporter and has written for the H2 and Weekender sections, as well as across a range of issues. Helen is a Walkley Award winning journalist and was also part of the Newcastle Herald team that won the United Nations World Environment Day Media Award for Environmental Reporting.
Helen Gregory joined the Newcastle Herald in 2010. She is the masthead’s education reporter and has written for the H2 and Weekender sections, as well as across a range of issues. Helen is a Walkley Award winning journalist and was also part of the Newcastle Herald team that won the United Nations World Environment Day Media Award for Environmental Reporting.
